September, 4, 2009
Thank you everyone who came to the Convergence!
More information will be posted soon. In the meantime, visit our new Bus Wiki site here.
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When: August 21-25, 2009. Beginning with dinner on Friday evening and ending Tuesday morning. Working folks are welcome to come Friday-Sunday!
Why Converge? To rejuvenate (nourish, renew, strengthen) the program that has transformed our lives. This will happen at the gathering as we…
- Get educated on the history and current state of AEI
- Gather stories of the strengths of the program
- Identify weaknesses
- Do creative visioning
- Share our strengths and our gifts with the AEI community
- Nourish our network alumni, faculty, staff and friends
- Build on what we’re already doing to help
…all carried out in AEI style—with circles, camping, eating together, mushy group bonding, and more!
Location: Hawthorne Valley Farm, a biodynamic farm located on 400 acres in mid-upstate New York. For more information see: hawthornevalleyfarm.org. They are graciously offering us free space to gather, eat, sleep…!
Food: All meals at the Convergence will be provided, beginning with the first dinner on August 21 and ending with the final lunch on August 25. Convergence attendees will be split into cooking groups and to help cook and/or clean-up. Thanks to Hawthorne Valley Farm we will have fresh, local vegetables.
Registration: Please Register asap! Click here to register online.
Price: To help cover our food budget, we ask people to contribute monitarily, along the sliding scale. Paying the high end of the scale supports us in inviting people who lack the funds to attend. Everyone is welcome, regardless of money resources.
**Be prepared to pay via cash or check when you arrive!
You may contribute $61-$100 to cover your food expenses and donate for others; $60 to cover your food expenses; $1-$59 to partially cover your food expenses; or if you are unable to donate any money you are still encouraged to eat the food provided at the gathering.
Children and Partners: We would like the Convergence to be a family-friendly environment. Food for children is free. If you are interested in childcare during the convergence, note that on the registration form. We are unable to organize childcare beyond having parents (and anyone else willing) sign-up/take-turns to watch “the kids” for a block of time during the gathering. Let us know if you have thoughts/ideas!
Spouses and partners are welcome to be part of the convergence. They may register separately.
Sleeping:
Tents: There is ample tenting space (there are even tent platforms!) at Hawthorne Valley Farm. Bring your gear, if you’d like to sleep out. If you don’t have gear, but want to camp, check the Gear Share to post needs. If you have gear you’d be glad to share, post it on the Gear Share.
Cabins: There are cabins available at HVF. Let us know on the registration form if you’d like to be in one. No extra charge for this, however space is limited.
Service Work: August is a busy month at the farm, and as part of our stay, we will have the opportunity to help out in the garden. We may also get to help out at the bakery and the ‘craut cellar.
Ride-Sharing: Yes! Are you driving and glad to pick-up folks along the way? Are you wanting to be picked-up? Post on the Ride Share.
Be a resource person! The Convergence will involve workshops led by all of us (a.k.a. You!) on topics/skills that would be useful to the AEI community. Share your wealth of knowledge and experience!
Thank you! We look forward to seeing you in August!
